"How Can I Get Guys To Notice Me?"

I'm not pretty. I'm not allowed to wear cropped tops or short skirts. So, how do I get a boyfriend? Please tell me what to do. I feel like almost all of my classmates are good-looking, and I'm the only one who looks just average. I really want some nice guys to notice me.

Amber

Dear Amber,

I know you want some nice guys to "notice" you, but I want a nice guy to notice you because you are an amazing human being, not because you're wearing short tops or miniskirts! Don't get sucked into the cultural ideal that a girl is only worth what she wears, weighs, or looks like — that's not how you really get a boyfriend. The way you really get a boyfriend is by being interested in things. Are you interested in politics, sports, English, plays, or swimming? What are you interested in? That's where you find friendships, and then friendships grow into relationships. I know you want boys to think you are pretty. I know girls all over the world want boys to think they're pretty. But the truth is, if you don't think you're pretty and attractive, who is going to think that you are pretty and attractive? You have to believe it, you have to live it, and then you will attract those relationships to you. But please, please, please don't go wearing provacative clothing or behaving in ways that aren't appropriate just to get somebody to notice you. You don't need to compare yourself to your friends. You need to be the best version of you that you can be, and I promise you, somebody special will come into your life.